How Madrid locals really feel about the NFL takeover: “Americans don’t even ask to look at the check!”

Spain has always been about fútbol rather than football, yet Madrid has embraced its first NFL game with open arms in the last few days. “We’re thrilled to be here and to play here,” said none other than Dolphins legend Dan Marino. “I hope it’s a great game for us. I’m loving the experience, the food, the people, a very grateful city, it’s been fantastic. Madrid is incredible.”

Madrid welcomes a new kind of fan

The general consensus appears to be that Madrid is, in fact, incredible. But do locals feel the same way about an entirely new crowd that has descended on the city in droves?

Staff at Tony Roma’s, an Italian restaurant located just a few meters from the Bernabéu, say business has been booming since the NFL arrived earlier in the week.

“A lot more people have been coming. We’ve even had a queue out the door at times. It sometimes happens when Real Madrid are playing but it depends on who they’re playing. Even yesterday, when it was pouring rain, there were lots of people here, and some waiting outside to get in. It’s been work, work, work.

“And American fans don’t even ask to look at the check, they just pay it!”

Local businesses see a spike

The owner of a food stall on the corner next to the stadium has had a similar experience. “There have been more people the last few days. It’s been really good, more tourists, it’s been perfect. There has been a huge mix of people.”

“On a personal level, there have been more road closures, it’s been a little bit harder to get here.”

Bars feel the change, even with the rain

At El Retoque, a small bar just off the Bernabéu, a waiter says the type of clientele has changed more than the number of customers. The bad weather may have reduced the true impact.

“There have obviously been a lot more foreigners coming. And much more of a police presence. But the weather was awful, so it’s hard to say how much of an impact the NFL has really had on business.”

“Normally, when people come to Spain, it’s to watch soccer, not football. So their behavior is a bit different. But the main difference we’ve seen is a huge increase in foreign customers.”

Curiosity brings in non-NFL fans

A couple walking near the stadium early Sunday were among the non-football followers captivated by the NFL “event.”

“We aren’t NFL fans at all, we’ve just come to see what it’s all about. We didn’t expect to see so many people here already. We’re not going to the game and we don’t follow a team, we’re just Real Madrid fans!”

“There’s a lot of people in the city, almost too many,” they continued. “We didn’t think there would be so many. There’s a lot more security than usual, it’s really noticeable.”

A different security operation

A police officer overseeing fans heading to the game explained how things differ from a Real Madrid crowd.

“We’ve deployed a lot more people, there’s maximum security, much more than a Real Madrid game. Because it’s the first time it’s happening, we want to be prudent and make a good impression. I think the next time there will be less police presence.

“The fans so far have been pretty chilled out. But they’ve come here really early, there’s lots of people. For Real Madrid games, fans come to the bars two hours before, not four. There’s a lot of people considering what the weather is like.

“A lot of neighbors have complained about roads being closed earlier than usual. Too early, I’d say.”

For a city that usually saves its energy for soccer, Madrid seems more than happy to make room for a little American chaos. If this was the NFL’s debut, it probably won’t be its last.

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